We aren't looking for a specific answer, so it doesn't help you if you try to answer the questions in a way you think we will like. Instead, the short questions are an opportunity for us to learn about how you think about yourself and the stuff that happens around you. So, be honest!

Very often, candidates will tell us something in their answer without providing any evidence (or, without showing!). For example, a candidate might say "I am a leader". That's fine - we believe you! - but it would be much more helpful if you gave us specific examples of your leadership so we can understand it better. For example, maybe you are leader because you organized the WhatsApp group for your class, or because you are teaching your younger brother how to play the guitar.  Whatever the example is, it is helpful to have one! :) 

Keep in mind that the essays (as well as your whole application) will be read by at least two people, and it would be ideal if both of those understand what you're trying to say! To make their job easier, try to write the essay with some structure in mind -- for example, an introduction, a central argument, and a counter-argument, or something similar! There are no specific rules, but just try to avoid writing one very very very long sentence :)

We choose the topics because we want to give you an opportunity to be creative. Use that freedom to write something that no one except you could write :)

The point of the interview is for us to get to know you, and that is easier if you talk - even more than expected :)

Sometimes, we see something like this in an interview:

• What do you like to do in your free time?
• I read.
• Yeah? What do you usually read?
• Books.
• Mhm! What kind of books?
• Whatever i find…

Can you see why this doesn't tell us a lot about you? Here's the same conversation, but the candidate talks a little more:

• What do you like to do in your free time?
• I read. I usually like science finction, but sometimes I will read a romance novel, too!
• Yeah? Have you read anything recently that you have liked?
• Last month I read [name of the book] and I really liked it because the author captured what it's like to be a high school student! I felt that way myself very often…

To clarify: we don't expect you to have an answer for every possible thing we could ask you about. But we want to have a friendly conversation: we'll try to ask you about things that are familiar to you, and you try to give us answers that are full with content :) 

We gave this advice in the short questions, too, but the principle applies to the interview as well. Here's what we said above: Very often, candidates will tell us something in their answer without providing any evidence (or, without showing!). For example, a candidate might say "I am a leader". That's fine - we believe you! - but it would be much more helpful if you gave us specific examples of your leadership so we can understand it better. For example, maybe you are leader because you organized the WhatsApp group for your class, or because you are teaching your younger brother how to play the guitar.  Whatever the example is, it is helpful to have one! :) 

All of your interviewers want to get to know you, and they will definitely use the opportunity to ask you follow-up questions on topics related to whatever you are saying. So, if you mention you like playing volleyball, they will be curious -- and they'll likely ask you how you started playing, or what you like about the sport. Don't worry -- that's normal! Use the opportunity to give us a few more details about your interests.

These are some of the questions we have asked in the second or third round in previous years. Every year, we try to be original, but this is the kind of question you could expect. We don't recommend trying to prepare answers at home, but just use this to get a sense of what's possible -- the best interviews are always spontaneous conversations!

• How did you prepare for this interview/selection process?
• Think about something you learned in school that you had trouble understanding. Can you teach that concept to us in a better way?
• Do you have any unpopular opinions?
• What activity could you do all day long (and why)?
• Is there an activity you would like to take with you at UWC?
• What would you like to achieve outside of the classroom in the next year if you don’t go to UWC?
• What have you learned from the other candidates [on the Discord platform] so far?
• What’s something your best friend does that you really appreciate?
• Who do you look up to?
• What would you change in your application if you could write it again?
• What do you consider your biggest failure and how did you overcome it?
• What is your favorite UWC college/do you have a least favorite UWC college?
• Tell us a fun fact about UWC!
• What would you like to take in the IB?
• What CAS activities would you like to take at UWC?